re will be the best man. O'
course, with that map it ought to be plain enough sailin'."

"I thought it would be, but it will mix us up, now you say that Bear
Pond empties into Perch River in several places. We'll have to try one
place after another."

"Do your directions start from that p'int?"

"Yes."

"Then we'll have to find the right emptyin' place, that's all. My advice
is to start fer the spot to-morrow early."

So it was arranged, and Dick called Tom and Sam down to the barn to talk
it over. It was late in the afternoon, and all worked until after the
supper hour in preparing for the start.

"It's a good twenty miles' tramp from here," said John Barrow, "and
we'll have to climb two pretty steep mountains to get to the spot."

"Why can't we follow the stream up?" asked Tom. "That would be easier
than tramping up the mountains."

"By the river the way is at least forty miles, and there are half a
dozen rough spots where you'd have to walk a mile or two."

"We have our skates," said Sam. "Skating would be easier than walking,
and pulling the sleds on the ice would be child's play."

"Well, I allow as how I wouldn't mind skatin' myself," said John Barrow
thoughtfully. "I never thought of that before. If you want to, we can
try that trail. We can take to the mountain any time, if we find skating
no good."

So it was arranged that they should strike out for Bear Pond by way of
the river, and the sleds, of which there were two, were packed
accordingly, and the boys saw to it that their skates were well
sharpened and otherwise in good condition.

"When you're skating, you want to look out for air holes," was John
Barrow's caution. "Fer where the river runs between the mountains it is
mighty deep in spots, I can tell you that!"

"Thanks, I'll be on my guard," answered Tom, with a shiver. "I've had
all I want of icy baths this winter."

The girls were sorry to see the boys leave so quickly, but were consoled
when Tom promised to stay longer on the return. On the following morning
breakfast was had at six o'clock, and by seven they were off, everybody
wishing them a good time. Only Mrs. Barrow knew that the boys were on a
treasure, and not a bird and wild animal, hunt.

It was a clear, frosty day and everybody was in the best of spirits. The
boys wore fur caps and warm clothing, and each was provided with either
a rifle or a shot-gun. So far they had seen but little game around the
farm, but John Barrow a