d coming down rather
suddenly in a hollow.

"Rather knocks the breath out of a fellow," returned Shep. "Take care
that you don't sprain an ankle, Whopper."

"That's what I'm watching out for. I don't want my whole outing
spoiled."

After a large amount of hard walking and climbing they managed to
cover about half the distance to Firefly Lake. But by that time
both were so exhausted the doctor's son called a halt.

"No use of killing ourselves," he said. "We can't go any farther
than the lake to-day, anyway."

"Hope Snap and Giant wait for us at the mouth of the river," said
Whopper. "I don't want to tramp along the lake shore afoot."

"Oh, they'll wait, and mostly likely start a camp."

"Say, if I remember rightly the river makes a bend to the right here,"
went on Whopper after a pause. "And if that is so, what's the
matter with our striking inland a short distance and cutting off
some of the walk?"

"I'm willing---anything to reach Firefly Lake before it gets too
dark to see."

Having rested themselves, the boys commenced to draw away from the
river shore, taking to the woods, where the walking was easier. It
was now close to six o'clock, and the sun was going down over the
trees to the westward.

"Hope they have supper ready by the time we get there," said Whopper
after a period of silence. "This transit is making me as hungry as
a bear."

"Same here. Well, we'll have the partridge to fall back on, even if
they don't cook anything else."

The two young hunters tramped on. As they walked they kept their
eyes open for a possible sight of game. So far all they had seen
were some birds, not worth shooting.

Another quarter of a mile was covered when they came to a patch of
spruces. As they advanced they saw several rabbits leap from beside
one of the trees.

"A chance for a shot!" cried the doctor's son, and speedily swung
his shotgun into position, an example followed by his chum. Both
young hunters blazed away without delay, and each was successful in
laying a rabbit low. Before they could fire again the rest of the
game was out of sight.

"Not very large," was Shep's comment as they picked up the game. "But
the rabbits are young, and they'll make fine eating."

"It is a good thing that new game law isn't in effect yet," said
Whopper. "If it was we'd not be allowed to shoot rabbits until next
October."

"You are right, Whopper---hunting will be a good deal more restricted
after