"If they are near us we want to be on our guard," observed Giant.
"They'd like no better fun than to steal our things. They haven't
forgotten what happened on the lakes this summer and last winter."

The boy hunters were bound for a spot mentioned to them by Dr.
Reed and Jed Sanborn. It was a small "dent" in the mountain side,
where were located a fine spring of cool water with a rocky brook
beyond. Some distance farther was a cut in the mountain with a
tiny lake, surrounded by cedars and called Cedar Lake.

It was nightfall when they reached the "dent" and the spring. All
were thirsty, and the sparkling water was very refreshing.

"Father says that some day he'll organize a company to bottle this
water," said Shep. "He is sure it will command a large sale in the
big cities---it is so clear and pure."

"It couldn't be better," answered Snap. He looked around him. "And
what an ideal spot for our camp!"

It assuredly was ideal in every respect. They could see for miles
to the east, south and west, over hill after hill, covered with
green trees and brushwood, with ribbons of water between, and here
and there a lake. Using the field-glasses they could make out the
church steeple of Fairview and some other buildings. Between the
hills they could see various farms, with the cattle grazing in the
pastures, or standing in groups in the barnyards. All was as silent
and as calm as one could wish.

"What a place for a castle, like those of old!" murmured Snap as his
eyes roamed over the scene. "Just think of this in the light of the
full moon."

"Snap is getting romantic," came from Whopper. "Come on down to the
earth, sonny, and help pitch the tent, or you'll have to sleep out
in that moonlight to-night and run the risk of getting moonstruck."
And this remark brought forth a laugh, in which even Snap joined.

As tired as they were, the five boys cut the necessary poles and
hoisted the tent. As this was to be a permanent camp for some
weeks they erected the shelter with care, and around it dug a deep
trench, with another trench to carry rain down the mountain side,
so that none might run over the flooring as it had during the
thunderstorm. Then they spent considerable time in cutting down
some heavy cedar boughs for bedding. Snap, Whopper and Tommy
did this latter work, and while it was going on Shep and Giant
got together some flat stones and built something of a fireplace
and a stove, not far from the t