“Just shows how mean that bunch is,” declared Andy.
“They’ll be meaner than ever after this, Andy. They’ll want to square up with us for getting the best of them in this affair.”
As the other boat was now well on its way to the camp on the east shore of Big Bear Lake, the boys from Colby Hall determined to turn back once more and take a look around for the missing oars. This they did, and spent an hour in rowing slowly up and down the shore and around several small islands. They were rewarded by finding two of the oars. What had become of the other pair was a mystery.
It was well toward noon when they got back to camp, and it must be confessed that their arms were tired and they were glad to rest a bit before partaking of the dinner prepared by Jeff under the directions and with the aid of Gif and Fred.
“What gall those fellows had,” remarked Fred, when he heard the story the others had to tell.
“If they had kept that boat my father could have made it hot for them,” remarked Gif.
“Oh, they wouldn’t dare to keep it. They only thought they were going to make us a lot of trouble,” answered Jack. “It was just a little meanness on their part, that’s all.”
All the boxes and bundles had been brought in; and as soon as they had rested and had dinner Randy and Spouter set about emptying their suitcases and drying out their contents. Fortunately, nothing had been permanently injured, for which the lads were thankful.
Several days passed, the boys doing little except to go in bathing and lie around outdoors enjoying themselves. The bungalow boasted of several hammocks, and these were stretched between convenient trees, some of them quite close to the water. The lads went fishing, catching a fine mess of pickerel and perch, which they had Jeff fry for supper and for the following breakfast.