t hunting, Jed?"

"Jest as good around here as t'udder lake, my boy."

A vote was taken, and all of the boys decided that they would remain
at the spot. This being settled upon, they brought their stores
ashore and placed them in the shack, so that no further rain could
get at them.

"We have lost enough through the rain and that bear," said Snap,
and then had to tell Jed Sanborn all about the mysterious midnight
visitor.

"Oh, but I wish I had been on hand---to git a crack at that bear!"
cried the hunter. "I ain't had a crack at a bear fer some time.
They are gittin' scarce around here."

It was time to eat again, and they made a splendid dinner of some
baked maskalonge, Jed Sanborn showing them how to turn out the fish
in a manner that was appetizing to the last degree. Shep also made
some biscuits, which, if they were not first-class, were far from
what boys usually call "sinkers."

"I hope nobody comes to disturb us here," said Snap. "I think if we
are left alone we'll have the time of our lives."

While they ate they discussed the question of putting up another
cabin. Giant was very eager to go ahead and so was Whopper---both
loving the work fully as much as they loved hunting and fishing.

"All right, we'll build a cabin," said Snap. "But first we must
get together something to eat, as we did before."

That afternoon all went out hunting with Jed Sanborn and he showed
them where to find a good supply of rabbits, and took them to
a hollow among the hills where the partridges were thick. All
fired at once, and as a consequence they got eight of the game.
Their rabbits numbered sixteen, and they also brought down three
squirrels. Coming back to the camp, Jed Sanborn took a long shot
at some wild ducks that were flying overhead and brought down
two, which he added to their stock.

"Now, do a little fishing, and you'll have enough to eat fer a
week," he said.

"Before you go away I want you to show us how to set some traps,
Jed," said Snap.

"I'll do that," was the answer, and the very next day the old hunter
made for them a trap to catch birds, another for mink and also a
beaver trap.

"When I come ag'in I'll bring you something to put in the beaver
trap," said the hunter. "It's a stuff we call barkstone. The
beavers can't resist it nohow. As soon as they smell it they
have to walk right into the trap after it." He referred to castoreum,
a liquid obtained from the beaver, or castor, itse