g, so we can cook three meals a
day. I think you must have pounded that first bar down a little too far,
that's all, Lub. Better luck next time!"

They left him industriously at work. Having found to his sorrow where
his mistake was, Lub would be more careful in the near future. And when
he finished his task no 'coon or squirrel would find it possible to have
access to the cabin by means of the chimney, unless they first gnawed
through the parallel bars.

Shortly afterwards, having succeeded in procuring a good supply of bait,
the two ambitious fishermen pushed off in the bark canoe. Ethan held the
paddle, for he was a master-hand at this sort of work, and could propel
such a light running boat with the deftness of an Adirondack guide,
hardly a ripple being stirred, with the paddle never once taken from the
water.

Then Phil wandered off, after giving Lub directions for summoning them
back should any necessity arise, which of course they had no reason to
believe would be the case.

Engrossed in his work of hunting high and low for signs of his quarry
Phil passed an hour or more. Then he returned to camp, and found Lub
resting after his labors, having completed his task. From his manner it
was easy to see that he felt quite well satisfied with what he had done.

Later on they heard loud calls, and saw the other boys coming in. X-Ray
was wielding the spruce blade now; and in the bow Ethan held up two long
strings of glistening and still squirming trout, as trophies to their
united prowess with hook, rod and line.

"It's beginning to get pretty warm work between us," said X-Ray, as they
stepped ashore. "I got nineteen this afternoon while Ethan he reached
twenty-six; so even with my twelve before that I'm only five ahead in
the count. All trout, so variety isn't in the game yet. He hooked a
sockdolager, but his line broke. Yet I'm willing to admit he's got one
there that goes ahead of any I've taken. Get the scales and we'll
measure up, Ethan."

Lub rubbed his hands together when he learned how much in earnest the
rivals were becoming.

"I reckon now, Phil," he said aside to the other, "we're just going to
feast on these here trout all the time we're stopping at your hotel.
Encourage 'em to keep the game going. First we'll make out to think
Ethan is bound to win; and then we can switch off on to X-Ray."

"You're getting to be a regular schemer, Lub," commented Phil, though he
took occasion later on to follow out