ed Tom. "What in th

e?" inqui

dly yelled Bert. "He

y knew he could not seriously harm them, the boys were actually afraid. For the swimmer had a really feroci

ake of this, T

m, as he turned the boat away from the m

ied his t

e-who has been hunting for the fortune in

ieve you're rig

Dick, for the aged man was swimming again n

man interrupted with another of

y lake! All this country around here is mine! Leave at on

fierce,"

im out after us so far that he can't get back again, and I don't w

e'll get so far away that he'll see i

and, speeding up the motor, the

, as he again stood up in a shallow part, and sho

and went back

," spoke Tom. "He's got

the boat turned a point of land, and the hermit wa

t of frightened him. I don't suppose there's ever been a craft like this on the lake before, and the old man m

declared Bert. "The less

und any mysterious old mill, if a fel

gun, too, didn't yo

ybe it's a mistake. He didn'

had left their camp stuff. It had not been disturbed, and there was no sign that the hermit had

anded at the improvised dock. "There's lots to

or?" as

to eat, and some one has to c

ss of drawing lots, and the choice fell

ter?" asked Tom

a little bit,"

canned stuff so far, and you can read the directions and g

in a chorus fr

ave to get wood and water," declared Dick

od with our oil stove. I'll get you water though

got ready to set them up. They also laid out their stores, and planned how they would arrange t

after fussing about t

going to give

" asked Jack. "Where's your table c

nother guess coming. I've broken out the dishes, and knives, forks and spoons. You can use your lap or a

aimed Tom. "Just give us some

e?" asked Jack. "I'm par

ips, bread, butter, jam, condensed

it all!" ca

her two, and soon the lads w

sted the mock-turtle soup. They had brought alon

to open the can, chuck in some hot water, heat the

e roast beef?

that," explai

d Tom. "Boiled ro

the young cook. "Here, you taste it, and see if it isn't good.

an goulash and Chinese chop-suey!" laugh

ys tasted it, and to their surprise it was very good, or perhaps their appetites made it seem

ents, and getting ready for

de of pieces of packing boxes. They had folding cots, and these were set up, and the bed clothes gotten out. Then

n to enjoy ourse

other us," suggested Jack. "Bur-r-r-r! When I think of the

do, but I'm going fishing. I think some nice fresh fish would be pretty nearly as good as boiled roast beef. Oh, wait u

But don't you let 'em worry y

country chum. "I can do queerer stunts

ing fishing let's

n they had dug some worms, caught a few grasshoppers, and wer

had more than some nibbles, when Jack, who was perched on a h

big one, too! Oh, fellows, I've g

g the song of the fish, and he was holding t

ater, and a flash of silver

! Give him lin

im the butt more

in!" yel

nged. Suddenly Jack leaned over a bit too far, lost his b