"Let's do it." suggested Tad.

Laughing joyously, the lads got out their rifles, standing them on
their stocks, with the muzzles together in front of the small
tents. Not being equipped with bayonets the guns refused to stand
alone, so they bound the muzzles together with twine wrapped about
the sights. This held them firmly.

"There!" glowed Ned. "Where's the flag? Somebody get that and I'll
cut a pole for it," suggested Tad Butler.

In a few moments Old Glory was waving idly in the gentle summer
breeze and the boys, doffing their hats, gave three cheers and a
tiger for it, in which Professor Zepplin joined with almost boyish
enthusiasm.

"I always take off my hat to that beautiful flag," said the
Professor, gazing up at it admiringly.

"How about your own country's flag?" teased Ned.

"That is it. I am an American citizen. Your flag is my flag. And now
that we have done homage to our country and our flag, supposing we
consult our own bodily comfort by getting dinner. Of course, if you
young gentlemen are not hungry we can skip the noon----"

"Not hungry? Did you ever hear of our skipping a meal when we could
get it?" protested Walter.

"For a young man with a delicate appetite, you do very well,"