rty fell into my
father's hands in a roundabout way. You see, when he got it the land was
worth but very little, and no great care was taken of the papers in
consequence."

Toglet nodded, as though to indicate he understood. Then, while Ralph was
busy starting the sloop on another tack, Toglet leaned over and whispered
to his companion:

"That's the bottom of it, Sam."

"I shouldn't wonder," returned Martin, in an equally low tone.

Ralph heard the whisper, but paid no attention to it, thinking the men were
discussing something not meant for his ears. He turned over on the new
tack, and once more the sloop went along on her course, throwing up the
fine spray over the bow.

"We'll be able to get home faster than we are now sailing," remarked Ralph.
"We'll have a good wind all the way."

"Unless it dies out," returned Martin, and there was just a trace of
nervousness in his tone.

"It won't die out," replied the young boatman, confidently, as he cast his
eyes about the sky. "This breeze is good until some time after dark."

"When will we be able to reach the islands?" asked Toglet.

Ralph looked at watch.

"It is now quarter to ten. We'll reach the lowest of them by eleven
o'clock, and the big ones quarter of an hour or so later."

On and on up the lake sped the sloop. The villages on the shores had been
left far behind, and now nothing but trees and bushes appeared upon either
bank.

"Rather lonely," observed Martin, as he gazed eagerly about. "Not a house
in sight."

"No, sir; there is no settlement within a mile and a half of here,"
returned Ralph.

"Are there any settlements near the islands?"

"No, sir."

"I understand there are a number of great cliffs and ravines about the
islands," observed Martin. "I would like to see them."

"I will show you all there are," said Ralph.

At the time he had named they reached several small islands and passed
them. Then two of larger proportions appeared in sight.

One of the latter was quite flat, while the other was rocky and
mountainous.

"There is the best island for hunting," said Ralph. "We call it Three Top
Island, because there are three tops to the mountain on it. Shall we land
now?"

"Yes," replied Toglet, after an exchange of glances with Martin.

Ralph at once lowered the jib and took a reef in the mainsail. Then the
tiller was thrown over, and in two minutes more they ran into a tiny cove
and came to anchor close beside a grassy bank, frin