"Oh, we don't blame you, Mr. Masterson," said Snap. "But it is a pity such a rascal should be at large."
It was pleasant enough when the sun showed itself, and by eight o'clock the two young hunters were on their journey to Firefly Lake. It must be confessed that they found their load a heavy one, and by noon they were still some distance from camp.
"We'll have to stop, to rest and get a lunch," said the doctor's son.
"No use of killing ourselves."
"I suppose Giant and Whopper are wondering what has become of us," said Snap.
They came to a rest in the shelter of some pine trees and ate a lunch Mrs. Masterson had prepared for them, in the meantime keeping warm by a fire they built of tree branches. The rest occupied half an hour and then they went on as before.
"Wonder what the boys are doing?" said Snap, as they reached Firefly
Lake.
"Giant said something about fishing through the ice," answered his companion. "He appears to love that sport."
"Well, it is nice—when you can catch anything—and Giant is always lucky."
They had proceeded less than half the distance up the lake to the camp when Snap came to a halt.
"Listen, Shep!"