Inside of two hours the boys had a string of ten good sized fish, and then the professor told them they had better stop the sport as it delayed the progress of the boat. So the lines were hauled in, after which they progressed faster than ever. A stiff breeze was blowing and the sky was cloudless.
“We couldn’t have a nicer day for this trip,” said Darry, and all agreed with him.
Salvador knew of a beautiful grove on the shore of the lake, and to this he directed their course. There was a little stretch of sand, backed up by a grove of stately palms, and behind this some rocks and a waterfall.
“Oh, if only I had my camera,” sighed Sam. He had brought along a photographic outfit but unfortunately had left it at the hotel. The rocks and the waterfall looked very inviting, and they took their dinner in sight of the place but under the palms, for the sun was hot in spite of the breeze.
After the meal some of the boys stretched out for a rest. Sam wished to go swimming but at this the native boatman shook his head.
“No go here,” said Salvador. “Go in water, maybe git bit by crab. Bad crab here.”
“Crabs?” said Sam. “I haven’t seen any.”
“Me show you,” returned the boatman and led the way along the sand. Procuring a sharp stick, he walked along until he came to a round hole close to the water’s edge. He thrust the stick into the hole. Instantly came a scattering of sand and an ugly looking brown crab came into view, hissing viciously and with his eyes bulging from their sockets. Sam sprang back to get out of harm’s way but the crab leaped into the lake and sank from sight.
“What an ugly beast!”
“Him more ugly if you stick toe in his hole,” grinned Salvador. “Maybe him bite toe off.”