They had heard that the seminary girls occasionally visited the woods for that purpose, and each was secretly hoping to run across Dora and the Lanings.
It did not take the boys long to reach the woods, and they soon found a spot where hickory nuts were plentiful.

They had brought some bags along, and were soon hard at work gathering the nuts.
While thus occupied they heard a number of girls coming along.

At first they fancied the newcomers might be from the seminary, but soon saw that they were natives of the place.

They were five in number, and among them was Minnie Sanderson.
"Why, how do you do ?" said Minnie, coming up with a smile on her face.
"How strange to meet out here!" And then she shook hands with each of the Rovers, and speedily introduced her friends, and the Rovers introduced Songbird.
Minnie was neatly attired in a brown dress, with a brown hat to match, and while she did not look anyway "stunning," she made an attractive appearance.

Her friends, too, were pretty, and well dressed, and all were very jolly.
"It's a nice bunch, all right," murmured Tom to Sam.