list and she would have them all ready
the day we are to start." And then the list was made out, including
bacon, beans, flour, salt and pepper, sugar, and many other necessities.
The boys also got a liberal supply of powder and shot for their
guns, some cartridges for the rifle, and some fishing hooks and
lines. Everything was stored away in the boathouse on the river,
which was locked up tightly, so that nobody might carry off their
belongings.

CHAPTER VII

AT THE BOATHOUSE

"I wonder if Ham and Carl will attempt to get at our outfit," said
Shep, the evening before the start was to be made.

"Well, we mustn't forget that they blew up the old boathouse before,"
answered Snap. "Of course, they may be afraid to try on the same
thing---they'd know they'd be in danger of arrest."

"Let us go down and take a look at the things," put in Whopper. "I
wouldn't want to have anything happen to the outfit for a million
dollars."

The three boys walked in the direction of the building where the
things were stored. Giant was not with them---he having been
detained at home, to do some work for his mother.

Apparently the outfit was as it had been left, and the three boys
breathed a sigh of relief. Having overhauled the things carefully,
they prepared to lock up once more when Snap noticed a small boy
named Joe Bright, hanging around.

"Well, Joe, what's doing?" he questioned.

"Nuthin'," answered Joe. "Say, are you fellows going on a trip to
Lake Narsac?"

Yes."

"Ain't you afraid of the hobgoblins up there?"

"Not particularly."

"My uncle was up there once and the hobgoblins took his things away
from him."

"What did they take?" asked Whopper.

"Took his coat, which he had hung on a tree while he was fishing,
and took his basket of fish, too. Say, he was scared when he saw
that thing, I can tell you. He wouldn't go there again!"

"Did he see the ghost?" asked Shep.

"No, he didn't see anything, but he heard it moan and groan, and
heard it say something about being cold and hungry."

"We are not afraid," said Snap, as bravely as he could. "We are
going to keep our eyes peeled for that ghost, and if it shows itself
there will be some shooting done. By the way, Joe, how long have
you been around here?"

"Two or three hours. I didn't have nuthin' to do, and I like
the water."

"Have you seen anybody around this building?"

"Yes, two fellows were here, but they went away when they saw