ere were just an
even dozen, and of these, ten were men, farmers and those in the
lumber business. One, a bright young fellow, sat near our hero, and
Dave resolved to ask him if he knew anything about Camptown Falls and
the summer camps in that vicinity.

"Yes, I know all about the Falls," said the young lumberman. "I work
not over three miles from there--at Cropley's--the station this side
of Camptown. There ain't any town, not since the Jewell Lumber Company
busted up. Some folks camp out there, down along the river and on
Moosetail Island, but there aren't near as many as there used to be."

"Somebody said the dam above Camptown Falls was dangerous?" said
Dave.

"I think it is myself, and I can't understand how they allow folks to
camp along the river and on that island. If that dam ever broke it
would be good-by to anybody on the island, I'm thinking."

"Have you been up to the island lately?"

"I was there about a week ago."

"Who were there then, do you know?"

"A couple of men from Portland and half a dozen young fellers from
Springfield. There was another camp, with some women in it, but I
didn't get around to that, I only heard of it. There are half a dozen
camps along the right bank of the river, but they are on high ground,
and if the dam broke it isn't likely the water would reach 'em,"
continued the young lumberman.

The train rolled along at a rate of twenty miles an hour, making stops
at stations and crossroads. Here and there a person got on or off, and
by the time Camptown Falls was reached Dave had the passenger car
almost to himself.

The train halted for but a minute and our hero alighted, suit-case in
hand. Much to his surprise, not a soul was about the little depot,
which looked old and dilapidated. There was a stretch of fields
beyond the track, and farther on he made out the glistening waters of
the river, and in the center the woodland stretch known as Moosetail
Island.

"Well, this surely is Lonesome Land!" Dave murmured to himself, as the
train rumbled out of sight and he was left utterly alone. "And not
another train until eight o'clock to-morrow morning! I'll have a fine
time of it to-night if I don't meet those fellows, or run across some
camp where they will take me in."

Dave looked at the sky and this did not tend to increase his good
spirits. When he had left Oakdale it had been warm and clear; now dark
clouds were forming overhead and it looked as if it might rain before