The Camp-out Mystery Read Free Page A

to the opposite corner and did the same. When the middle two poles were standing, the job was finished.
    â€œGood job,” Mr. Alden said, “but not quite right.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with it, Grandfather?” Benny asked.
    â€œIt’s flat,” Mr. Alden pointed out. “What will happen if it rains?”
    â€œThe water will pool on top,” Henry said.
    â€œAnd probably leak through,” Jessie added.
    â€œI know what to do,” Henry said. He picked up his pounding rock and began driving a corner peg deeper into the ground. He did the same to three other corner pegs but not to the center two poles. When he had finished, the canvas sloped down from the middle. Now, water would run off of it.
    Next, they had to choose a spot for their sleeping tent.
    â€œHow about under that tree?” Benny asked. “It’ll be nice and shady.”
    â€œIt would be cool there,” Grandfather agreed, “but if it storms—”
    â€œLightning,” Violet said.
    â€œHow about right here where I’m standing?” Mr. Alden asked.
    The children examined the spot. It was clear—no rocks or roots or poison ivy beds—and it sloped just enough so that rain would run down and not pool.
    â€œIt’s a good place for our tent,” Henry said.
    Watch pawed the ground. Benny squatted beside him. He saw a mound of earth with small holes in it.
    â€œThe ants thought it was a good place, too,” he said. “I don’t want to spoil their home.”
    They decided on another location nearer the brook. While Mr. Alden and the boys pitched the tent, Jessie and Violet began unpacking supplies under the canvas covering the cooking area.
    â€œWe can’t just put things on the ground,” Violet said.
    â€œNo,” Jessie agreed. “Everything will get damp and ruined.”
    They gathered big rocks and made two stacks several feet apart. These they bridged with the old park building board. It was a perfect table for the supply boxes and the first aid kit. The cooler fit underneath with room to open the lid.
    The boys had done a good job, too. The sleeping tent was up and the backpacks and sleeping bags were inside.
    â€œNow can we eat?” Benny asked.
    â€œFirst we have to collect wood for a fire,” Henry said.
    Benny ran over to the cooking pit. “There’s wood here.” He pointed to a small woodpile nearby.
    â€œI suppose that’s enough for tonight,” Henry said. “We’ll gather more in the morning.”
    â€œYou make the fire,” Jessie said to Henry and Mr. Alden. “We’ll find some long sticks for the hot dogs.” She, Benny, and Violet ran off into the woods.
    Henry made a wood teepee in the center of the pit and stuffed some newspaper inside. Mr. Alden got the matches from the tin box in the kitchen tent.
    By the time the girls and Benny returned, the fire was burning nicely, and Henry had made a salad of lettuce, tomatoes, and shredded cheese, and set the picnic table.
    The Aldens roasted their hot dogs.
    â€œI’m going to put my salad on mine,” Benny said. He tore some lettuce into small pieces and cut up a tomato slice. He piled them and a spoonful of cheese on his bun.
    â€œThat’s a good idea,” Grandfather said, doing the same.
    â€œSave room for Mrs. McGregor’s cookies,” Jessie reminded everyone.
    â€œI always have room for those!” Benny assured her.
    After supper, everyone cleaned up.
    â€œWe can burn the paper plates and napkins in the fire,” Henry said.
    â€œAnd if we put the wet garbage at the outer edge of the fire,” Jessie said, “we can burn it when it dries.”
    Finished with the cleanup, they sat around the fire.
    â€œLet’s tell ghost stories,” Henry suggested but everyone was too tired to think of one.
    Benny felt something whiz past him. He ducked. “What was that? ” he asked.
    â€œI think it