n, although frankly admitting that it might
prove faulty in many places. It was going to be one of his personal
tasks to rectify these mistakes, and bring back an accurate chart of
the whole district.

Besides being an ardent photographer, Will had taken up the study of
medicine, as he anticipated some day being a physician. The boys were
in the habit of calling him "Doctor Will" at times; and whenever there
arose an occasion that called for his aid he was only too willing to
apply his knowledge of the healing art.

Bluff Masters had perhaps been well named by his boy friends for he
was not only a frank sort of boy, but there were many times when just
out of a desire to tease he would try to "bluff" those with whom he
chanced to be arguing.

At the same time Bluff was a hearty boy, with plenty of good nature,
and was a favorite with his companions. He and Jerry were both apt to
be a little boisterous, and to express their dislikes rather forcibly,
but the others knew their little failings and paid small attention to
them as a rule.

As they mentioned in their chatter while they tramped along the rough
up-hill road, they had found a chance to send most of their camp
outfit ahead of them by the stage. It was to be left at the shaft of
the old abandoned mine, which they had heard so much about, though of
course had never seen.

After reaching that point they expected to leave the road and plunge
directly into the woods, taking a short-cut for the big lake. Here
they had planned to search for an old cabin situated on a point that
stretched out into the beautiful bay, and which Frank believed might
serve them in lieu of a tent; indeed, trusting to the information
they had received, they had not bothered to carry any canvas along
with them on the trip.

"What if that old cabin proves to be a myth after all, Frank?" Bluff
was asking as they toiled along, with a wall of rock on one hand and a
dizzy precipice close on the other side.

"Perhaps we'll be sorry about leaving out that fine waterproof tent of
ours," suggested Will, who did not like to "rough it" quite so much as
did the others.

"Shucks!" ejaculated Jerry, with fine scorn, "what's the matter with
our building a shelter of logs, bark and driftwood on the shore of the
lake, if the worst strikes us? It wouldn't be the first time we'd done
such a thing either, eh, Frank?"

"I reckon we could do it without straining a point," the other
observed quietly. "But