"He's as bad as he was last summer, when he drove us away from Lake
Cameron," said Snap, bitterly.
For some time after that the young hunters were silent, each busy with his own thoughts. Driven away from the vicinity of Lake Cameron, they had to make another wide detour, and it was one o'clock before they came in sight of Firefly Lake, nestling so cozily among the hills.
"It will take at least an hour and a half to get down to the lake and up to camp," said Snap. "Shall we go on or stop for dinner?"
"I am as hungry as two bears," said Whopper. "Let us rest up a bit and get something to eat."
The others were willing, and soon a fire was blazing and over this they broiled one of the wild ducks. The meal and the rest occupied an hour and a half, but they all felt it was time well spent.
Their hearts beat rapidly as they walked down the hill to the edge of the lake. They had to pass a bend and then came in sight of the camp.
"The flag is down!" cried Giant, in some disappointment.
"I reckon the blizzard was too much for it," answered Snap. "But let that go, so long as the shelter itself is all right."
They almost broke into a run on the last quarter mile, so eager were they to see the condition of things. At last they caught sight of Birch Tree Inn. It looked to be exactly as they had left it.
"Thank fortune for that," began Shep, when Whopper uttered a cry.