In the camp of the Black Rider

In the quiet June heat of Ridgefield, the noon whistles of the mill punctuate a day of hard labor for a handful of young men. Ted Thorn, son of the lumberyard owner, and his steadfast friend Buck Dalton finish their shift with a grin, dreaming of a camping escape before football season kicks into gear. Their bond, forged by years of schoolyard games and summer work, is palpable as they picture nights under canvas and a glow‑red fire crackling in the woods.

Back at home, Ted joins his parents at the dinner table, where his father's pride in his son's progress is evident. A surprise message from Mr. Calvert, the town’s lawyer and boys’ club president, lands on the table, hinting at an unexpected opportunity that could steer the teens beyond their familiar routines. With college on the horizon and summer freedom within reach, the boys stand at the edge of a choice that may shape more than just a vacation.