ride on the lake the height of enjoyment.

They reached the island in quick time, for the boat was a fast one, but,
to their disappointment, the cave did not prove so mysterious as they
had hoped. They managed to get to the end of it, though the way was
choked with dirt and rocks, and found nothing of interest.

"This cave is a regular lemon," announced Bricktop.

"What did you hope for? To find some of Captain Kidd's treasure?" asked
Walter.

"Well, it might have been used by the Indians once," was the red-haired
youth's answer. "Some day I'm going to bring a lantern and see if I
can't find a few arrow heads or the graves of some dead Indians."

In spite of their disappointment, the boys managed to have a good time,
to which the fine lunch added not a little. It was getting dusk when
they started for home, with Dick at the steering wheel.

As they approached the dock at Hamilton Corners they saw, when a mile
away, that the lake in the vicinity of the boat-house was lighted up.

"What's going on?" asked Walter.

"Oh, it's carnival night," replied Dick. "I forgot all about it. They're
going to have a procession of boats on the lake. We'll hurry up and join
in. I wish I'd thought to decorate my boat."

He speeded up the craft, anxious, as were the other boys, to take part
in the water pageant. They bore down on a little fleet of boats, gaily
decorated, and filled with merry, laughing, young persons. The
procession was just forming.

Suddenly there sounded a sharp report aboard Dick's boat.

"The motor back-fired," he said. "Take the wheel, Walter, while I look
after it."

But, a moment later, it was seen that it was no mere back-fire in a
cylinder. A sheet of flame arose from the bottom of the craft.

"The gasolene tank has exploded!" yelled Dick. "Jump for your lives,
boys! The boat's afire!"

Above the hissing, crackling flames the motor still puffed away, sending
the boat straight toward a confused flotilla of other craft, the
occupants of which set up screams of terror as they saw what had
happened.

"Jump!" cried Dick again, as he crawled aft and tried to shut off the
engine.

Three splashes in the water told that his companions had leaped
overboard and were comparatively out of danger.

"Come on, Dick!" cried Bricktop, rising to the surface. "Jump, or you'll
be burned to death."

"I can't!" yelled back Dick, shielding his face from the awful flames
with his arm. "I've got to shut off the engi