Frank cut some forked branches from the bushes near, and soon the white perch were strung upon them. The large fish were arranged on the outside of the strings, so they made a handsome showing. Taking care of the canoe and dipping the fish in the water, so they again glistened like silver, the boys started toward the cottage, which they were occupying on the point.
There was a path to the cottage, and this they followed. As they approached, the door of the cottage was seen standing wide open, and Bruce Browning was heard laughing heartily within. Diamond was carrying in an armful of wood.
“Ha! ha! ha!” roared Bruce. “You are in danger, Hans, for you say you got your toes wet. You’ll be ill, sure. Just think what a horrible thing it is to put wet water right onto a person’s skin.”
“Vot’s der madder mit you!” squawked the voice of Hans. “You und Shack peen oud und done dot a liddle vile ago, don’d id? You kept bokin’ vun ad me till I got me my glothing oudt und vent oudt to took a path, but I vound der vawter too vet this mornings.”
“Oh, yes; the water is wet. I never saw a Dutchman who wasn’t afraid of real wet water. They don’t even want to drink it.”
“Vale, dot vasn’t no skin off you somevere, vos id? Vot peen der madder?”
Then Frank and Bart mounted the steps and walked into the cottage, carrying the handsome fish they had caught.
There were cries of astonishment and surprise from the three lads.
“Ye gods!” burst from Browning. “What have you been doing, fellows?”
“Catching fish,” laughed Frank.