ind of a lunatic."

"I've got an idea," said Snap. "Wouldn't it be a good idea to
wait until night and then crawl up to the cabin while he is asleep?"

"It may be---if he didn't take us for robbers and act worse than
ever."

"Why not try him in the daytime first, and then, if you can't get
the watch, go back at night?" said Giant.

"He may prowl around at night," suggested Shep. "And, remember,
he may not have the watch at all---it's all guesswork."

It was an exceedingly warm day, and when it was near noon all three
of the young hunters were glad enough to lie down in the shade and
rest. Game appeared to be as scarce as the day before and all they
shot were some rabbits and one squirrel.

"We've got to do better than this before we go home," said Shep.

"If we only knew what had become of that bear!" sighed Snap.

"Yes, if we only did!" murmured Giant.

It was so pleasant in the shade that none of the boys could get up
ambition enough to go on until they had taken a nap. Then they
went up a hill slowly, carrying their coats over their shoulders.

"If it's hot here, what must it be in town?" said the doctor's son.

"About ninety in the shade!" cried Snap.

At the top of the hill they took another rest. Here there was a
little breeze, for which they were thankful.

"There is the lake!" cried Giant, pointing to a sheet of water below
them. "One good thing, it will be easier going downhill than it was
coming up."

"I vote we go in for a good swim when we reach the lake," said Snap.
"What do you say, Shep?"

"I'd rather get to that cabin, before it is too late. But I'll take
a ten-minutes' dip, if you wish."

So it was agreed, and the boys hurried through the woods to the lake
shore in a pleasant frame of mind.

"Listen!" cried Snap presently. "What's that---a dog?"

All listened and heard a loud barking, coming from the neighborhood
of the water.

"I think it's a fox!" cried Giant. "You'll remember, they bark just
like that!"

"Let's try to get a photo and a shot!" answered the doctor's son.
"Nothing like getting pictures of everything," he added.

They increased their speed, and soon found themselves within a
hundred yards of the shore of Firefly Lake. The barking had now
ceased, and they stood still, not knowing in which direction to turn.

"Something moving over yonder," whispered Giant presently, and nodded
with his head down the lake shore.

Making no noise, they went forward ag