"Shall we camp on one of the islands, or on the shore?" questioned
Shep.
"The main thing is to find some dry spot," answered Snap. "To me all the ground around here looks spongy and wet."
They tried several of the islands, but found them soft and uncertain, and so rowed over to the shore on the west. Here was a little hill, covered with dewberries, and having cleared a spot, they erected their tent and built a campfire.
"If Mr. S. Hooper is around he may chase us away," said Snap. "But we'll take the chance of his not being in this vicinity."
The swamp was full of flies and mosquitoes, and they were glad enough to keep near the fire, to get rid of the pests. After the cooking was done they built a smudge, of wet reeds, and this helped to keep the insects away. But it was not a cheerful spot and when the boys went to bed all felt depressed.
Snap was the first up in the morning, and while he was getting breakfast ready, Giant took his shotgun and went off in quest of game.
"There ought to be plenty of wild fowl around a swamp like this," said the small member of the club. "I am going to see what I can bring down before we leave."
"If you bring down much you'll have Mr. S. Hooper in your wool," answered Snap.
"I don't believe he is around. And, another thing, I didn't see any fences."
"Nor I. I guess you are safe in bringing down whatever you can hit. But don't stay out too long."