at their best pace, Jet carrying Jim's gun, and the
latter with the greater portion of the provisions slung over his
shoulder.

At the end of a quarter of an hour the trail brought them to the edge
of the lake, and they looked out over the water eagerly, but without
seeing any signs of life.

Again their way wound through the woods, and when the journey was a
trifle more than two-thirds finished they were within sight of the
water once more.

"Unless that fellow has made straight for the upper lake, he ought to
be 'round here somewhere, so we'd better not show ourselves," Jim
suggested, as he crept cautiously down to the fringe of bushes
bordering the banks.

The boys were now where they could see between the cluster of islands
to the opposite shore, and after gazing for some time in silence, Jet
said, as he pointed directly across the lake:

"Isn't that a line of smoke over there?"

"It is, an' I'll bet our man has made camp to watch for his chums.
Let's go over!"

It seemed to be a sort of forlorn hope; but the chances were well worth
taking in view of the possible result, and Jet replied:

"Go ahead; but we must keep a good watch of the shores in case that
should not be the fellow we are searching for."

Jim hardly needed this caution. Since having done so much harm he was
careful to a fault, and many times before reaching the outlet did he
run to the edge of the wood to search with his eyes the borders of the
lake.

Each time he reported that no one was in sight, and always concluded
the information with the assurance:

"I'm certain the two men are on Dollar Island."

The outlet was reached and crossed at the expense of a wetting; but the
boys thought nothing of that; it was too trifling a matter to be
considered at such a time.

From this on there was no trail to follow, and Jim led the way as near
the water's edge as possible.

Finally the moment came when they were so near the thin curl of blue
smoke that the utmost care was necessary lest a noise should give token
of their approach.

Jim crept through the bushes in the most approved manner of alleged
Indian hunters, and when they had thus traveled a couple of hundred
yards, he motioned for Jet to look as he parted the foliage in front of
him.

There on the shore was the boat which had been stolen, and farther up,
near a hastily constructed shelter of branches, sat the man who had
promised to send the telegram for the small guide.