p, "and that gives me an idea," he
added suddenly. "The boat must be somewhere on this lake, and it
can't leave excepting by the river that runs into Firefly Lake.
Perhaps it would be a good idea for us to go down to the river and
set a watch for the thieves."

"It's a long tramp," answered Giant. "And don't forget the snakes
down there. If we-----"

Giant broke off short as a distant gunshot sounded out. It was
followed presently by a second shot. Then all became as quiet
as before.

"Those shots came from across the lake!" cried Snap.

"Yes, and right close to the spot where I thought I saw that boat,"
added the doctor's son.

Fellows, I believe there is a camp over there, and if we can manage
to get across perhaps we'll learn something about our belongings."

"How are we to get over without a boat?" demanded Whopper. "It's
too far to swim. The water is so cold a fellow would get cramps
before he was half over."

"We might build a raft," suggested Snap, who had been favorably
impressed by Shep's words. "There are a number of logs lying
around that we cut for firewood, and I saw some wild grapevines back
of the spring which will do very well for ropes. We could take off
the most of our clothing, so it wouldn't matter if we got wet."

The proposal to build a raft was approved by all, and they set to
work without delay. It had been after four o'clock when they
got back to the cabin and it was dark by the time the raft was
ready for use. It was a clumsy affair, made of rough logs, spliced
together with grapevine shoots, and it was barely large enough
to carry the four boys. They took off their coats and shoes and
socks, and rolled their trousers up to the knees.

"Talk about a life on the ocean wave!" sang out Whopper. "This
steam yacht would take the first prize at any cattle show, eh?"
And this quaint remark caused a general laugh.

In the center of the raft a small log was set upright, not as a
mast but as a support for their guns, for they did not wish the
weapons or their ammunition to get wet. Nobody thought of crossing
the lake without the firearms.

"We may have to fight to get our things back," was the way Snap
expressed himself. "And our guns may come in mighty handy."

"Let us try to reach a point some distance below where Shep thought
he saw the boat," suggested Snap. "Then we can land and not let
the others know what we are doing. We don't want to rush in on
any crowd that is