forest
fire meant, and they had no desire to start such a conflagration.

Their route now lay over some hills that were more or less strange
to them. But they had received many instructions from Jed Sanborn,
and thought they would have little trouble in gaining a trail back
of the hills that led into the Windy Mountains.

"Are the mountains really windy?" asked Snap as they began the climb
up the hills back of the lake, each with a good-sized load strapped
to his back.

"They are only windy at certain times of the year," answered the
doctor's son. "But when it blows, why, it blows, so Jed Sanborn
said."

"Then we'll have to put our tent up good and strong," came from
Whopper. "We don't want to wake up some night and find ourselves
blown into the middle of next year!"

"And dying to know how we are going to get back," added Giant dryly.

"Giant, if you say dying again---" began Whopper.

"Save your wind, boys!" interrupted Shep. "We've got a long and
hard climb before us."

What the doctor's son said about the climb was true---the way was
a steady pull upward, and they had frequently to stop to get their
breath. It was nearly eleven o'clock when they reached the top of
the hill. They had been on the upgrade for three hours.

"Let us rest until after dinner," said Snap. "No use killing
ourselves."

"We've still got some miles to go," answered Shep.

"I know it---but it will be mostly down grade---at least, until we
reach the foot of the mountains."

It was decided to rest, and all of the young hunters willingly
slipped their loads and sat down. Below them was Firefly Lake, with
Lake Cameron in the distance on one side and Lake Narsac in the
distance on the other. Back of them lay the Windy Mountains, with
a hollow of trees and bushes between. The boys viewed the mountains
with interest, thinking of the outing they hoped to have there.

CHAPTER XIV

AFTER DEER WITH GUN AND CAMERA

"I hope we strike a good camping spot by night," said Snap, "for,
unless I miss my guess, it will rain before morning."

"Oh, don't say rain!" cried Giant. "We can do without rain."

"It may not be a lasting storm, but some rain will come, mark my
words."

"I think I see the trail up the mountains," said Whopper, who was
looking through a pair of fieldglasses. "Anyway, it's path of
some kind."

The others gave a look, and all decided that Whopper was right.

Resuming their loads after the noonday re