“Oh, look, look!” cried George; and he pointed to a small brown animal swimming along near the shore. Only its head and part of its neck showed above the water, and its mouth was full of green leaves.
“It’s a rat!” declared Ed, seizing a stone and hurling it at the unknown creature, which promptly dove beneath the water.
When it reappeared some distance away, George took several ineffectual shots at it; but each time it dove before the stone reached it, and finally drew out of range unharmed. Disgusted with their marksmanship, the boys hastened to the cabin, where they found breakfast ready.
They asked Ben about the little brown animal they had seen, and he told them it was a muskrat. He said he would some day show them its wonderful houses, and told how it lived and traveled long distances under the ice in winter.
Breakfast was soon over, and the dishes washed and put away. As the owner of the team was anxious to get started on the long journey to his cabin, Ben and the boys went outside to help him hitch up. The task was quickly accomplished, and, wishing them many pleasant experiences in the woods, he bade the boys good-by, spoke to the faithful team of ponies, and was soon lost to view.
Returning to the cabin, the lads went to work willingly under the direction of Ben, and unpacked and stowed away their many belongings. The guide examined their rifles and shotguns, and pronounced them satisfactory. The heavy boots and waterproof moccasins which they had brought for winter wear also met his approval, and he promised they would have much need of them later on.
When everything had been properly stowed away, he bade them bring their shotguns, and led the way to the lake. Walking into some bushes near by, he dragged forth a canvas canoe and launched it. Placing Ed in the bow and George amidships, the guide took his place in the stern and paddled swiftly up the lake.
He kept well in toward the shore, and explained that there was more to be seen there than on the open water farther out. Not a sound was made, so easily did the canoe skim along. Ben cautioned them that if they used their eyes instead of their tongues they might see something worth while. Consequently, they sat very quiet, watching for something to happen.
All at once the bow of the canoe turned toward the middle of the lake, and the little craft commenced to leap through the water in great forward bounds.
“There he goes!” cried Ben. “Now for some fun.”