Mr Walsh, the farmer, met the boys at the station. He
arrived in an old farm truck, got down from it, and
stood and looked at the boys for a minute. Then he
said, 'Well, you've arrived.' He wasn't a big man, but
he looked very strong. 'Get yourselves into the back of
the truck,' he said, 'and don't stand up if you want to
arrive in one piece.'
The boys soon understood what he meant. There were
no seats in the back of the truck, and Mr Walsh drove
10
Camping
very fast. They were soon falling about everywhere, and
they had to hold on to their bags and camping things.
The truck left the town and climbed into the hills.
After a while it stopped suddenly, and the boys got down
and slowly looked around. On their left there were fields
with stone walls round them, and on their right, a big
white house and the farm buildings.
'Well, this is your field,' said Mr Walsh. 'Bring your
things and follow me.' He went through a gate into the
nearest field, and the boys hurried after him.
'Put your tents here,' Mr Walsh said. 'This is a good
place.' He looked at the three boys, one by one, then
spoke to Matty. 'Three things to remember, right?
'This is your field.'
11
Matty Doolin
Always shut gates behind you. Don't light fires in the
woods. And no noise or shouting after ten o'clock at
night. Now, put your tents up and then come to the
house to get some milk. And perhaps Mrs Walsh will
have some tea for you.'
And for the first time, he smiled. Then he walked
away.
'I like the sound of that tea,' said Willie happily. 'But
he wasn't very friendly at first, was he?'
'Come on,' said Matty. 'Let's get these tents up.'
The boys worked hard, and soon they were walking
across to the farmhouse and knocking on the door. A
girl of about twelve years old opened it. She had a round
face, laughing grey-green eyes, and long brown hair.
'They're here, Mum,' she called.
A small, kind-looking woman came to the door.
The boys worked bard.
12
Camping
'Come in,' she said, in a soft, slow voice. She asked the
boys their names, then turned to her daughter. 'This is
Jessica,' she said. 'Now, sit down, and we'll get you
some tea.'
It was a large farmhouse tea, and the hungry boys
ate nearly everything on the table. When they finished,
they thanked Mrs Walsh and left the house to go back
to their field. Jessica went with them, and talked and
laughed with Joe and Willie.
Matty wasn't very pleased about this. 'Girls are always
. trouble,' he thought. He felt angry, and when Jessica
took Joe and Willie to show them the stream, Matty
stayed behind at the tents. 'I'm not running after a girl!'
he said to himself. But suddenly he felt very alone. '
When the others came back, they didn't bring any
water with them. 'Forgot to take the bucket,' said Willie.
'You're a fine camper!' said Matty crossly. 'I'll get it
myself.' He took the bucket and began to walk across
the field to find the stream. Then he heard someone
behind him, and Jessica ran up.
'I'll show you the best place to get drinking water,'
she said. She ran past him down the hill and Matty
followed.
The stream ran quickly, falling down over rocks,
talking and laughing to itself. The water was bright and
silvery in the sunlight, and on the other side of the stream
13
Matty Doolin
Matty just stood and looked at it.
were tall green plants with purple flowers. Matty just
stood and looked at it. 'How beautiful it is!' he thought.
'I'd like to stay here for ever.' He looked up at the hills
all around him, and the mountains behind. Then he
remembered the ship-building job which was waiting
for him. There are no streams or hills or mountains in
the town.
Suddenly, he saw Jessica, higher up the stream. She
was watching his face with interest.
14
Camping
'It's wonderful, this place,' he said slowly. 'I've never
seen anything like it.'
'It gets very cold in winter,' said Jessica. 'Your fingers
turn blue and fall off.'
Matty smiled. 'Well, you've still got ten of them.'
& sj" Jj*
That first night the boys could not get to sleep. Outside
the tents everything was dark and silent. In a town there
is always some noise, and this lonely field high in the
hills was too quiet for them. But they were tired, and in
the end they fell asleep.
The next morning they cooked their breakfast over a
fire, and then went up to the farm to get some milk. Mr
Walsh was standing outside the cow shed. 'Would you
like to see round the farm?' he asked.
'Would you like to see round the farm?'
15
Matty Doolin
'Oh, yes please,' said Joe and Willie.
Mr Walsh finished milking the cows, and then he
walked round the farm with the boys. He showed them
all the animals and explained all the work of the farm.
Matty listened carefully to every word, but it was Joe
and Willie who asked most of the questions. Suddenly,
Mr Walsh turned to Matty, and said, 'Yo