he lake grew deeper and they
could no more see the bottom. But the water was as clear as crystal
and quite cold, showing that the water came, at least in part,
from springs.

"I see a little stretch of sand," said Giant, presently, and pointed
it out. "We might go ashore there for breakfast---if there are no
snakes."

They turned the _Snapper_ in the direction mentioned, and soon
beached the craft. A hasty hunt around revealed no snakes and the
young hunters felt easier. They made a campfire and cooked a
substantial breakfast, for the meager supper the evening previous
had left them tremendously hungry.

"I feel sleepy enough to take a good snooze," said Shep, stretching
himself. "What's the matter with staying here for to-day, and then
hunting a regular camping spot to-morrow? I guess you fellows are as
tired as I am."

They were tired and the proposal to rest met with instant approval.
It was decided to roast the wild turkey for dinner and to spend
several hours in fishing,---all after a sleep of several hours.

"There ought to be some fine pickerel in this lake," said Snap, and
he fixed his rod and line for that specimen of the finny tribe and
Giant did the same. Shep and Whopper went in for whatever they
could catch. The fishing was highly successful and the boys soon
had all the fish they would want for several days.

"Might as well give It up," said Snap, when a call from Whopper
interrupted him.

"Somebody is coming down the lake," was the announcement. "A
very old man in a canoe."

CHAPTER XVIII

THE OLD HERMIT'S TALE

All of the young hunters watched the approach of the old man with
interest. He was a very tall individual, with snow-white hair and
a flowing beard. He was dressed in a suit of rusty black, and on
his head he wore a wide-brimmed straw hat, with a big hole in the
top. His canoe was of birch bark, light and strong, and he
propelled it with a short, broad paddle.

"I'll wager he is a character," said Snap, as the man drew closer.

"Shall I hail him?" questioned Whopper, as it looked as if the
occupant of the canoe was going to pass without speaking.

"Might as well," was the answer, and the boys set up a shout. At
first the old man paid no attention, but presently he turned his
craft toward shore and came to a halt directly in front of the camp.

"How are you?" said Snap, cordially. A look told him the Stranger
was at least seventy or eighty years old.

"Pr