Lake Narsac? Jed
Sanborn was telling me that was a fine place for hunting and fishing,
and the lake is as clear as crystal."

"It's an awfully wild place, so I was told," said Shep.

"About a million snakes up there, so I once heard," put in Whopper.
"Snakes are so thick you have to kick 'em out of your way to walk
around."

"Excuse me, I don't want any snakes," answered Giant, with a shiver.

"Somebody once told me the lake was haunted," said Snap. "But of
course that wouldn't scare us---we are not afraid of ghosts, are we?"

"No!" came from all of the others promptly.

"The ghost that tries to scare me will get his ear pinched," added
Giant, and said this so drolly that all had to laugh.

"One thing is sure," said Shep, after a pause, "with fish, game,
snakes and ghosts we'd certainly find enough to interest us, eh?"

"Is the lake very deep?" asked Giant.

"Jed Sanborn told me that you can't touch bottom in some places,"
answered Snap. "The lake lies right between three tall mountains.
He said we might have to carry our boat around some of the rocks
in the stream leading to it."

"Well, we can do that to---providing the boat isn't too heavy."

This talk led to many others, and in the end it was decided that
the four boys should start on the trip the week following the
Fourth of July. Then commenced active preparations. Guns were
cleaned, camping outfits overhauled, and the lads looked around
for just the right boat in which to make the trip. Through Mr.
Dodge a fine, strong craft was obtained; and then the lads waited
impatiently for the day to come when they should begin the outing
on the lake. They anticipated some adventures, but did not dream
of the curious happenings in store for them.

CHAPTER II

SWIMMING, AND WHAT FOLLOWED

Lane's Cove was situated almost a mile from Fairview, but the four
boys did not think anything of walking that distance. All were
good pedestrians, for their numerous outings had hardened their
muscles and given them good lung power. Even little Giant trudged
along as swiftly as the rest and even suggested a race when they
came in sight of the spot selected by Snap for the afternoon's fun.

"No, don't run---you'll get overheated," said Whopper. "When
I run I sweat like a house afire."

"Sweating like a house afire is good!" murmured Giant, with a
grin. "Now if you had only said sweat like a stone, or a piece
of iron, all of us would have known what yo