Giant," answered Shep. "Shall I help?"

Giant agreed, and soon Shep had brought in another perch. By
this time they had come to a suitable landing, and the rowboat
was turned in and hauled well up on the shelving shore.

"I fancy this will make a good camping spot for to-night;" said
Snap. "In the morning we can decide upon what we want to do next."

"All right," said Shep. "Let us start up a camp-fire and make
ourselves 'to hum,' as the old folks used to say."

Any quantity of dry sticks were to be had, and they had brought
with them both an ax and a hatchet, so they soon had the sticks
reduced to a proper size for burning. Near the shore were a number
of bushes, and they cut out a spot in the center of these and
over the top spread the canvas they had brought with them. For
a flooring, they gathered some leaves, and over this spread a
rubber blanket when it came time to go to bed.

It was very homelike and cheerful, gathering around the campfire,
and all of the boys took a hand at preparing the supper which
consisted of fried fish, baked potatoes, sandwiches, cake and
coffee. They took their time over the meal, and did not finish
until after eight o'clock. Then they sat around for an hour discussing
their plans and telling stories.

"Now, the question comes up, do we stand guard at night?" asked Snap.

"Oh, let us all go to bed," answered Whopper. "I don't believe
any cannibals are coming to carry us off---or an elephant, either."

"What about a wildcat or a bear?" asked Shep.

"Well, if you are afraid you can stay awake," answered Whopper.

There was a moment of silence and then, close at hand, a hoot-owl
let out an unexpected and exceedingly weird call. Whopper gave
a jump and so did Shep, and then all of the young hunters laughed.

"I am willing to let the guard slide if the others are willing,
too," said Snap; and so it was decided.

They fixed the fire so that it would not go out, and then one
after another retired to the shelter among the bushes. The moon
was shining far above the trees and the center of the lake glistened
like a mass of silver. Occasionally they heard the hoot of the
owl, and the far-off bark of a fox, but otherwise all was silent.

When the boys awoke, the sun was shining brightly. Shep was the
first to rouse up and he slipped outside and looked around the
clearing and on to the lake. Not a person or a creature was in
sight. He stirred up the fire and piled on so