The rowboat was now some distance from the dock, and with a final wave of the hand the boys began the journey to Lake Cameron.
In a straight line the lake was about ten miles from the town, but the river was a winding one, so they had a row of over thirteen miles before them.
"I hope we haven't forgotten anything," said Whopper. "It would be a shame to have to go back, eh, fellows?"
"We are not going back," returned Giant. "If anything has been left behind we will have to get along without it."
Having left the town behind, the boys reached a point on the stream where the trees and bushes were thick on either side. They turned in toward the left bank, where the sun was not quite so strong, for in spite of the fact that it was fall it promised to be warm.
"Be careful along here," cautioned Shep. "There are some big rocks just under the surface."
He had scarcely spoken when there came a terrific bump which almost threw him overboard. Whopper was sent sprawling on his side, and his oar sent a shower of water over Giant.
"Wow!" came from Whopper. "Say, did we strike a fortress or what?
I thought I was going to the bottom sure!"
"I said to be careful," answered Shep, as the craft sheered off.
"Either move out to the middle of the stream or else go slower."
"No use of moving to the middle of the stream now," said Giant.
"I want to land a short distance below here."