ce above the dam, and found that
the river was completely blocked up with logs, which had been cut in the
forest above, and floated down to the saw-mill. The men at the mill said
that the boys would find the river choked with logs for a distance of
nearly three miles, and that a little farther up it became a mere brook,
too shallow and rapid to be navigated with the _Whitewing_.

It was clear that the cruise on the Schroon had come to an end, and that
it would be necessary to hire a wagon to take the boat to the lake.
Having reached this decision, the boys made their camp, and being very
tired, put off engaging a team until morning.

When morning came, one of the men at the mill came to see them while
they were at breakfast, and advised them not to go to Schroon Lake. He
said that the lake was full of houses--by which he meant that there were
a great many houses along its banks--and that if they were to go there
they would find neither shooting nor fishing. He urged them to go to
another lake which they had never heard of before--Brandt Lake. It was
no farther off than Schroon Lake, and was full of fish. Besides, it was
a wild mountain lake, with only two or three houses near it. The boys
thanked him, and gladly accepted his advice. They had supposed that
Schroon Lake was in the wilderness, and were exceedingly glad to find
out their mistake in time to select a more attractive place. The owner
of the saw-mill furnished them with a wagon, and soon after breakfast
they started for Brandt Lake.

When, after a pleasant ride, they came in sight of the lake, they were
overjoyed to find how wild and beautiful it was. Steep and thickly
wooded hills surrounded it, except at the extreme southern point, where
they launched their boat. It was not more than two miles wide at the
widest part, and was about five miles in length, and they could see but
two houses--one on the east and the other on the west shore. They
eagerly hoisted the sail, and started up the lake to search for a
permanent camping ground; and after spending the afternoon in examining
almost the entire line of shore, they selected a little rocky island in
the upper part of the lake, which seemed made for their purpose.

There was a great deal of work to be done, for they intended to stay at
Brandt Lake for a fortnight. They had to clear away the underbrush and
cut down several small trees to make room for the tent. A small
landing-place had to be built of stones an