t's our jumping off place, boys! We had better get our baggage
together!" exclaimed Jack.

"I wonder if Barney Stevenson will be at the station to meet us?"
questioned Fred.

"That depends on whether he got my last message or not," answered Jack.
"However, if he isn't there, I guess we can find our way to Snowshoe
Island alone."

Soon the long train rolled into the little station at Rockville, and the
boys alighted, being assisted by the porter, who had already taken
charge of their baggage. He readily accepted the tip they gave him, and,
as he had learned that they were off on a little hunting tour, said he
hoped they would have every success.

"But don't you bring down too many lions and elephants," added the
colored man.

"No, we'll leave the lions and elephants for you," returned Andy, and
this made the porter grin broadly, showing two rows of white ivories.

"Hello, boys! So you've got here at last, eh?" cried a voice from the
doorway of the railroad station, and old Barney Stevenson strode toward
them. He looked the picture of health, having recovered entirely from
the accident in the woods. He shook hands cordially, giving each hand a
squeeze that made the recipient wince.

"We're glad to see you, Mr. Stevenson," began Fred, when up went the old
lumberman's hand in protest.

"'Twon't do, boys! 'Twon't do at all! If you're going to come over to
Snowshoe Island with me, you've got to drop that Mister business. Plain
Uncle Barney is good enough for me."

"All right, then! Uncle Barney it is!" answered Fred, and the others
smiled and nodded.

"I just got your message this noon," explained the old lumberman. "Billy
Sanders, the station agent's son, brought it over to me. I see you've
got your duffle with you," and he looked at their various bags.

"We didn't bring anything along in the way of provisions," answered
Randy. "We thought we could buy all those things here in town."

"So you can--providing you've got the money, lad;" and Uncle Barney
smiled.

"Oh, we've got the money!" answered Andy. "Our folks treated us very
handsomely."

"I brought over my big bobsled," went on the old lumberman. "Come
ahead--I'll help you carry your baggage. We can leave it all at
Crumpers' boathouse until we get the other stuff."

He led the way, and they soon found themselves at the boathouse he had
mentioned. Here they placed their traveling bags on Uncle Barney's
bobsled, and then made their way to a nearby gener