“There goes my butterfly!” exclaimed the professor, as he saw the winged creature, he had been so anxiously watching, take flight over the woods, where it was soon lost to view. “But, after all I don’t believe it was the kind I wanted, though it bore a close resemblance,” with which reflection the scientist comforted himself. “However, that shows me we are in the right locality. I’m glad we discovered this new lake, boys.”
“Let’s name it,” suggested Ned.
“Call it Alligator Lake,” put in Jerry.
“No, Butterfly Lake would be better,” suggested Bob, “because the professor hopes to catch his prize specimen here.”
“Good idea,” agreed Jerry. “Butterfly Lake it is.”
Seeing a little cove about a mile ahead, Jerry steered the boat in that direction and, as it was found to be a good stopping place, the craft was moored near the edge of the water. The boys and the professor went ashore. They found themselves in the midst of a patch of everglades, though close to the lake the land was more firm than anywhere else.
“I’d hate to be lost in a swamp like that,” remarked Ned, indicating the vast expanse that lay about them.
“There are paths through it,” said Mr. Snodgrass. “But I guess only the negroes and Indians know them. It would be quite risky for any one unacquainted with them to venture in. The swamp would swallow a man as quickly as if he fell into quicksand.”
“The boat for mine!” exclaimed Bob. “This is worse than the swamp Noddy got fooled on.”
While supper was being prepared, the professor got out his nets and cyanide bottle in readiness for a chase after the prize butterfly.