e line just let it go."

As he spoke the captive made another rush--not very frantic indeed, for
the pike is a sluggish creature in all waters--but with a steady
persistency that meant resolution of purpose. In a few seconds our
invalid was compelled to let go, and, the line tightening, the paddles
disappeared with a jerk.

Soon after they reappeared, and the boys paddled towards them with a
cheer, picked them up and the battle was renewed.

It would be tedious to recount all the incidents of that fight. We can
only say that after a struggle that lasted an hour--according to the
younger brother; two hours and a half, according to the elder--a pike of
about four feet in length was hauled into the canoe.

"That's enough of fishing for one day," remarked Billie, wiping his
heated brow.

"Quite enough," assented the other; "shall we make for Willow Point now,
Little Bill?"

"Yes. We will try the shooting now."

In accordance with this plan, the direction of the canoe was changed,
and, early in the afternoon, the young hunters found themselves
alongside of a low point of rocks which stretched well out into the
lake, leaving a deep bay on either side. The extreme end of the point
consisted of naked rock, but the greater part of it was covered with a
dense under-growth of low willow bushes.

Here they disembarked, and Archie, as before, carried his brother to the
highest part of the low point, where a piece of green sward, free from
bushes, formed an attractive resting-place.

"Sit there now, Billie, till I get some brush, an' make yourself useful
by cutting out goose heads. See, here are some branches o' the right
sort ready to hand. No doubt some Redskins have been at work here
before us."

He picked up some pieces of wood which Nature had formed more or less to
resemble the heads and necks of geese. By a very slight use of the
knife Billie converted these into excellent portraits. When he had
finished half-a-dozen of them, his brother had cut and brought to the
spot a number of bushy branches about two or three feet high. These
were soon stuck into the ground in a small circle so as to resemble a
growing bush, behind, or, rather, in the midst of which, they could
effectually conceal themselves by crouching.

While this was being constructed the elder brother went down to the edge
of the water and made half-a-dozen mud-heaps well within gunshot, which
when the artificial heads and necks were attached t