een very quiet lately."

"I never tell anything but the strict truth," said Whopper, meekly.

When it came time to retire, Snap asked the others if they should
post a guard.

"Oh, I think we are safe enough without one," answered the doctor's
son, who was fagged out. "Let's chance it."

"Most of our outfit is on the boat," said Whopper. "I don't believe
anybody will carry it off."

"Let us fix the fire so it will burn the most of the night," said
Giant. "That will scare off any wild animals that may be prowling
around."

Wood was to be had in plenty, and they cut several sticks which
were not very dry and would, consequently, burn slowly. They sat
up until about nine o'clock and then turned in, resolved to be up
at daybreak and on their way once more, directly after breakfast.

It was cozy enough in the tent, which was just large enough to
accommodate the four boys. As they were to remain there but one
night they had not fixed up any couches further than to throw
down some dry brushwood and a few cedar boughs. Giant and Whopper
rested at the rear of the tent and Snap and Shep in front, close
to the half-open flap.

Snap had been asleep about two hours when he awoke with a start.
He listened and heard the bark of a fox not very far from the camp.

"Wish I could bring him down, just for the fun of the thing," he
murmured to himself, and then, reaching for his shotgun, he arose
and tiptoed his way out of the tent.

The fire had burned low and Snap was wise enough to slink into the
shadows, so that the fox might not see him. Just back of the
temporary camp was a big rock and toward this he crawled, keeping
his firearm before him and ready for use.

Several minutes passed, and then he heard the bark of the fox once
more, this time much closer. He strained his eyes to catch sight
of the creature, but the darkness under the trees was too great.

After that fully five minutes passed and Snap had about made up
his mind that the fox had gotten scared and turned tail, when he
heard a cracking of brushwood directly in front of him.

With eyes on the alert he watched in the direction from whence
the sound had proceeded, and at last caught the gleam of two small
eyes as they looked suspiciously at the campfire.

"Now is my chance," thought the young hunter, and raising his
shotgun he took hasty aim and pulled the trigger.

Only a sharp click followed, and all in a flash Snap remembered
that in the evening