to the very
bottom of the lake.

As Tom came up to the surface he heard a cry from Sam, quickly followed
by a yell from Fred.

"What's up?" he called out, swimming toward the shore.

"Land on the boat, Tom!" cried Sam, and leaped into the craft, followed
by Fred and Powell.

"All right; but what is wrong?" asked Tom, and climbed tip over the
stern.

"We can't get our clothes."

"Why not?"

"Look for yourself."

Tom looked and gave a low whistle of astonishment. And not without good
reason, for there on the rocks where they had left their garments
rested a big black snake!

"This is interesting truly," murmured the boy, gazing at his companions
in dismay.

"I'm going to get a rock and throw it at the snake," said Sam.

A stone was close to the boat, and watching his chance, he picked it up
and threw it at the reptile.

The snake darted to one side. It was merely grazed by the rock and now
it hissed viciously.

The hiss appeared to be a signal, and in a moment more another snake
and then another appeared, until fully a dozen reptiles each a yard or
more in length covered the rocks where all of the cadets' wearing
apparel rested!

CHAPTER XXIII

A GLIMPSE OF AN OLD ENEMY

"We are in a pickle now and no mistake!" groaned Fred Garrison. He
hated snakes as much as he did poison.

"It's certainly bad," declared Songbird Powell. "I wonder what we had
best do?"

"Has anybody got a pistol?"

Nobody had, nor was there any weapon handy outside of a jackknife and a
fishing rod.

"If we only had a shot-gun," sighed Sam.

"But we haven't one and we must do the best we can without it,"
answered Tom. "Songbird, supposing you try to charm 'em with some of
that soothing poetry of yours. Or take a picture of 'em."

"This is no joke," growled Powell. "I want my clothes."

"Well, go ahead and take 'em--I shan't stop you."

"I'm going to get another rock," said Sam.

"Let us all get stones," suggested Tom. "Then we can throw together."

This was thought to be a good idea, and soon the stones were secured
and each cadet took careful aim.

Three of the snakes were hit, one quite seriously. These retreated, but
the other snakes remained as defiant as ever.

"There must be a nest under the rocks," said Tom. "Were that not so I
am sure the snakes would leave at once."

"I've got another idea!" cried Fred. "Why didn't we think of it
before?"

"I haven't thought of it yet, Fred," grinned Tom. "Wha