hey are away and hide all their
things on them."

"Yes, that's an idea!" cried several. "It will be lots of fun, and
they won't know who did it."

"Well, we want to be certain that nobody is around," said Ham Spink.
"For if they caught us at it they would surely kill us."

"Oh, we'll be careful!"

CHAPTER XVIII

A MIX-UP IN CAMP

After the deer hunt the young hunters were content to take it easy
for several days, lolling around the camp, or going out fishing on
the lake or up the river beyond.

While fishing one day, Giant and Shep ran into several of the Spink
crowd and some unpleasant words passed. When the rival campers
separated, the feeling upon both sides was very bitter.

"I don't like those chaps at all," was Shep's comment. "I am sorry
they came to Firefly Lake."

"They make me sick," was the way Giant expressed himself. "And they
are such dudes, too, with their fancy hunting outfits and patent
fishing gear."

"And not one of them can shoot worth a cent," said Snap.

"How do you know that?"

"I saw them at the shooting-gallery one day. They couldn't make a
single bull's-eye, try their best, and lots of times they didn't even
hit the target."

On Friday, Shep came into camp from a walk up the lake and his face
showed his excitement.

"I saw some more deer!" he cried. "Come on, all of you! It's the
chance of our lives!"

This announcement filled the crowd with excitement, and soon they
were asking all sorts of questions of the doctor's son. He had
looked across the upper end of the lake and had seen seven or eight
deer making their way along one of the mountain trails.

"We'll take to the boat and go over," said Snap. "Hurry up and get
some provisions together. This may keep us out all day."

The boys set to work with a will, and in twenty minutes were ready
for the trip. They kicked out the camp-fire, shut up the cabin and
then leaped into the rowboat and took up the oars.

"I suppose the cabin is safe," said Snap, a little anxiously.

"Safe enough," answered Shep, whose mind was on the deer.

The young hunters rowed up the lake with all speed, and, landing,
tied their craft fast among the bushes.

"This will be an all-day chase, I guess," said Giant.

"Well, what of it?" returned Whopper. "Our time is our own. I hope
we get at least one deer."

The young hunters soon passed out of sight of the shore, and a
moment later another rowboat appeared, containing Ham