y were completely enveloped and could no
longer see where they were going.

"It can't be helped," said the owner of the launch. "We'll have to
wait until daylight. If I light the acetylene gas lamp it will simply
put those rascals on guard."

"Vot is ve going to do--sthay on der poat all night?" asked Hans.

"We can either do that or go ashore--just as you wish."

"Let us move towards shore," said Dick. "It will be more pleasant
under some overhanging trees or bushes."

This was agreed to, and they steered for the bank of the lake, which
was not far away. None of them dreamed of what that night was to
bring forth.

CHAPTER VI

FIGHTING BOB CATS

It was certainly a dismal and dreary outlook, and it did not help
matters much to run the launch under the wide overhanging boughs of
several trees growing at the edge of the lake. They were in something
of a cove, so the view was shut off on three sides.

"I wish we had brought along some extra blankets," said Sam. "If it
is raw now what will it be by midnight?"

"Hadn't we better build a little campfire?" questioned Fred. "It will
make it ever so much more pleasant."

"I do not advise a fire," answered Harold Bird. "If those rascals
should see it, they'd come here to investigate, and then try to slip
away from us in the darkness."

"You are right," put in Dick. "We must keep dark until we have located
them,--otherwise the game will be up."

To protect themselves still more from the mist and cold, they brought
out four rubber blankets of good size. These were laced into one big
sheet and raised over the launch like an awning. Then all huddled
beneath, to make themselves as comfortable as possible.

"Don't you think somebody ought to remain on guard?" asked Tom. "We
don't want those fellows to carry us off and us not know it!"

"Da can't vos carry me off dot vay," said Hans, who could never see
the funny side of a remark. "I vould kick, I tole you!"

"As there are seven of us, why not have everybody stand guard for
just an hour?" suggested Sam. "If we turn in at ten that will carry
us through to five in the morning--when we ought to continue our hunt."

"Providing the mist will let us," smiled Harold Bird. "But I think
your plan a good one," he added.

Lots were drawn and Fred went on guard first, to be followed by Hans
and Tom. At ten o'clock all of the crowd but Fred turned in, to get
as much sleep as possible.

"I tole you vot." remarked Hans, as