d at Ham and Carl. Then Mr. Dudder got angry and ordered
everybody off, and took his guests into the mansion. Ham and Carl
were so chagrined they knew not what to do.

"We must find out who did this," said Ham.

"Maybe it was Snap Dodge and his crowd," suggested Carl. "It
would be just like them."

"If they are guilty---I'll fix them!" went on Ham, bitterly.
"They had no business to touch our fireworks. Just think what
they cost us!

"And it made us the laughingstock of the whole town," added Carl,
sourly.

"I've got an idea---that celebration at the square---maybe they
held it with our fireworks!"

"What! Say, it must be so! Oh, what fools we were! Of course
it was them. I see it all now---'Carlham fireworks' indeed!
That's Carl and Ham, as plain as day."

"Yes, and the 'Swimmer Company' is plain enough, too. They did
this to get even for taking their clothes away that day."

"We can't say they stole the fireworks. If we do they may say
we stole their clothes."

"We won't say anything---but let us get square, the first chance
we get," and so it was decided. It was several days before Ham
and Carl heard the last of the "grand celebration" they had reported
they would give.

With the fun of Independence Day at an end, Snap and his chums
turned their attention once more to the matter of the summer outing.
They realized that a trip to Lake Narsac would be quite different
from one only as far as Lake Cameron or Firefly Lake. The two
latter resorts were close to civilization, while Narsac Lake was
a wild spot, seldom visited by the regular run of sportsmen.
To get to the lake would be quite a task in itself, and whatever
would be needed for the trip must be procured at home or at one
of the other lakes. And while they must take all needed articles
along they must make their boat load as light as possible.

Doctor Reed made them a present of something which was much to their
liking. This was a "nest" of aluminum cooking utensils, including
a pepper and salt box, and a match safe. This kit weighed very
little and was exceedingly handy.

As Mr. Dodge had procured for them a suitable boat, and the doctor
the cooking things, Mr. Dawson said he would present them with a
new tent, of light, but strong and waterproof material. He also
got for them a rubber cloth, to be spread over their things when
it rained.

"My mother is going to supply us with the eatables," said Giant.
"She told me to get the