It was pitch dark when the rude raft struck the opposite shore of Lake Narsac. They came in among some brushwood and landed without great difficulty. They donned their socks and shoes, put on their coats, and slung their guns across their backs.
"We'll tie up the raft," said Snap. "For all we know we may have to come back to it."
"Oh, I hope not!" murmured Giant.
With extreme caution they picked their way among the trees and bushes and across the rough rocks. Once Giant rolled over and over down some of the slanting rocks and would have got a ducking in the lake had not Snap stopped him just in time.
"Be careful," whispered the leader of the club.
"Don't let go of one footing until you are sure of the next."
They covered a distance of two hundred yards, when Snap called a halt.
"What now?" questioned Shep.
"I see a small campfire—-through yonder trees."
"Then there is a party here beyond a doubt!" cried Whopper excitedly.