Their course now took them around in the direction of one end of Pine Tree Lake. Here was a little lake called the Mirror, on account of its clearness, on the shore of which some hunters had erected a small lodge.
"The sun seems to be clouding over," remarked Dale, as they approached Mirror Lake. "It didn't look a bit like rain when we started."
"Dale, I don't believe those are clouds."
"Not clouds? What do you mean?"
"That is smoke. The forest is on fire some distance from here."
Dale sniffed the air. "I believe you are right, Owen. I hope the fire doesn't come this way."
"It will unless something stops it. Just look how dry everything is."
For several minutes they watched the smoke with much concern. It was moving to the northward, but presently it shifted in their direction.
"It's coming this way, Owen."
"I see it is; and the wind is coming up, too!"