rned
them in some way, and cooked up the yarn about Pine Pond, in order to
get hold of it. Then he came down to hunt me, stole the things to
prevent our following him, and skipped on to look for his pals."

Jim gazed at his friend with dilated eyes while this explanation was
being made, and when Jet concluded, he said in a half-whisper:

"Then I'm to blame for all that has happened?"

"There's no question but you have been the means of informing those
fellows what we are here for," was the gloomy reply.

"Do you know where they have gone?"

Jet told of his fruitless journey, and when he concluded, Jim said
decidedly:

"They didn't go into the upper lake, if they want to keep out of sight.
I'll bet they've landed on Dollar Island."

"Which is that?"

"The one nearest the outlet. It's a good place to camp, and from it
they can keep track of everybody coming or going. Suppose that fellow
who said he was a guide hasn't found 'em yet?"

"Well, what then?"

"We might catch him before the others find out about the telegram
message."

"He has a boat, and we haven't."

"But he's bound to land somewhere, and I know of a trail down this
side, which would take us to the outlet in short order. It isn't
more'n two miles."

"Are you willing to go and take the chances? Remember if Bob and Sam
have learned what we are here for it will likely be a case of life or
death with us."

"See here, Dave, I've spoiled all your plans without meanin' to do
wrong, an' now I'm ready to take any risks if things can be
straightened out. You've got a revolver, eh?"

"Yes."

"Then let's see what can be done."

Jim was thoroughly excited now, and his determination to rectify the
error put new life into Jet.

He sprang to his feet at once; reloaded his weapon lest the cartridges
should have been dampened during the night in the woods, and while he
was thus occupied Jim packed the provisions into a more convenient
shape for carrying.

When all was ready, and but a few seconds had been spent in these
preparations, Jim led the way to a well defined trail a hundred yards
or so from the shore of the lake, saying as he did so:

"It's queer you didn't find this when you were lost."

"I shouldn't have noticed it if I'd come across it, because the most of
the tramping was done after dark, and in the morning I thought only of
finding the lake."

"We shall see it two or three times before coming to the outlet."

The boys walked