nt breeze that was blowing. The campfire
had been started with a few dry twigs and cedar boughs and cast only
a faint gleam around in the gathering darkness.

"I didn't know snakes could be so active in the dark," observed the
doctor's son.

"We stepped right into their nest," answered Snap. "First Whopper
went into it and then I followed. That is what made the snakes so mad
and made them come right after us."

"Some of them have gone into the tent," cried Giant. "I just saw
three of them wriggle under the canvas."

"And to think all the guns ar ashore!" murmured Whopper. "What are
we to do?"

"Walk ashore and get them," suggested Snap, with a wink.

"Not for a million dollars! You do it."

"Thank you, but I---er---I'm lame."

"I guess we are all too lame to go ashore among those snakes," said
Giant, with a short laugh. "But we have got to do something," he
added, seriously.

"I move we remain on the boat until morning," said Shep. "Even
if we clear out some of the snakes now, we may not be able to get
at all of them. And who wants to go to sleep with snakes around?
Not I!"

"I couldn't sleep if I tried," said Whopper. "I'd be seeing all
kinds of snakes in my dreams!" And he shuddered.

Fortunately they had cooked some extra fish that noon and this food
had not been taken from the boat. They dined on the fish and some
crackers, and that was all. By this time it was night and the tiny
campfire was a mere glow of hot ashes.

"We might try the other side of the stream," suggested Snap.

"There may be snakes there too," said Giant. "You can do as you
please, I am going to stay on the boat until daylight."

"But what are you going to do when you get to the lake? We must
camp somewhere?"

"We'll hunt up a snakeless place in the broad daylight. The snakes
can't be everywhere."

There seemed to be no help for it, and having anchored the rowboat in
the middle of the stream, the young hunters proceeded to make
themselves as comfortable as possible on board. They had the rubber
cloth, and this they propped up on half-raised oars, making a sort
of awning. They had to rest on the hard seats, with boxes and
bundles between, and it was anything but comfortable. They were
so close together Giant said it reminded him of sardines in a tin box.
A sound sleep was out of the question, and they slumbered only by
fits and starts.

"Now to clear out those snakes," said Snap, when it was daylight. "I