at was coined within
the last half-dozen years we'd know it couldn't have been left here
long ago."

"I can make it out easily enough, Frank; and it's away back in
eighteen-eighty. So that allows plenty of leeway, you see."

The little incident gave them considerable food for exchanging
opinions. They even tried to picture what the cabin on the Point may
have looked like many years ago, when a woman's hands took care of the
home, and the prattle of a child sounded among those great trees
overhead.

Still, none of the boys dreamed that the cavity under the floor would
play a part in the future happenings that were destined to come their
way, though such proved to be the case.

The second night things began to shape themselves much more
comfortably. All of the boys declared they had enjoyed a sound sleep
when dawn once more found them stirring, and ready to take up the new
duties of the day.

One thing after another was finished, and it gave them considerable
satisfaction to find how much of an improvement this sort of work
made in the cabin and surroundings.

Frank himself cut away much of the thick growth of bushes and branches
that interfered with their view of the big water. When he had
completed his task it was possible to look from the open door and see
for miles out over the lake. They believed they would never tire of
watching the play of the waves that at times could be heard so plainly
breaking on the shore near by.

There was seldom a time during daylight when some fish-hawk could not
be seen sailing serenely over the water, looking for a fish for his
young fledglings. On several occasions the boys also discovered a
bald-headed eagle wheeling far up in the blue space overhead.

"We must keep on the watch to learn how the bold robber taxes the
hard-working and honest fish-hawks for his meal," Frank remarked.
"It's too much bother for the eagle to plunge down and hook a fish for
himself, so he waits until an osprey gets one, then follows him up
into the air and makes him drop his prize."

Will, of course, was deeply interested. Everything that pertained to
animal nature appealed irresistibly to him these days, since he had
taken to securing pictures of wild birds and animals in their native
haunts.

"I've read about such things, but never had the good luck to see it
done," he hastened to remark. "I hope I can make use of my camera if
it happens to come along at the right time. Already I think I know