fore night.

The boat was drawn up on the shore; the goods stored underneath her,
and everything was ready for the night.

Jim caught four fish from the bank, and these he fried in a most
appetizing manner, after which the boys rested from their labors.

A camp-fire had been built, and Jet was lying inside the shanty where
the smoke would not disturb him, while Jim remained outside to
"brighten the blaze" whenever the fuel should bum too low.

Both were enjoying the luxury of repose when an exclamation from the
guide caused the amateur detective to glance quickly toward the water's
edge.

That which he saw was sufficient to cause his heart to beat rapidly.

Bob, with his gun thrown carelessly over his shoulder, was coming
directly toward them.

CHAPTER XXIII

THE VISIT

There could be no question but that the man was coming for the sole and
only purpose of paying them a visit, and Jet was quite confident he had
grown suspicious he and his companion were being followed.

The boy's first thought was to edge farther into the shanty, in order
to prevent his face from being seen so plainly; but he did not dare
make very much of a move lest the man should be aware of his purpose.

"He knows what we're here for," Jim whispered, in a tone of fear.

"Don't let him see you think it. Act as if we wasn't talking of
anything but hunting and fishing. Remember he'll kill us, if he knows
the truth."

This was sufficient to drive away what little self-possession Jim had
left, and he stood stupidly staring at the visitor until Jet said
sharply:

"Pick up that hatchet and begin to cut wood; we haven't enough to last
over night."

Jim would have obeyed almost any order at that moment. He was so dazed
with fear as not to know what he was about, and mechanically he began
to do as he was bidden.

Bob advanced leisurely, looked carelessly around at the boat, the stack
of provisions and the weapons, after which he asked, much as if it was
really a matter of no concern to him:

"Come up here on a hunting trip, eh?"

"More for fishing than anything else," Jet replied, keeping his face in
the shadow as much as possible.

"Is this a good place for that kind of sport?"

"We haven't had a chance to find out yet; but my chum caught four from
the shore just after we landed."

"Do you live anywhere around here?"

"I'm from Plattsburgh; but Jim lives at the village of Saranac Lake."

"Then he ought to be acquainted