The boys smiled rather sheepishly.
"Well, to tell the truth," explained George, "we had luck and yet we didn't have luck. We caught a splendid mess of fish. Then we left them on the bank while we rowed up the river a way and when we came back the fish weren't there. Some one must have come along and taken them, or else some bird or animal must have eaten them."
"Well, I declare!" exclaimed Mrs. Claxton. "That was too bad. I know how disappointed you boys must have felt. But never mind about the fish. I have a good hot supper ready for you and you can bring me a mess some other day."
"You can be sure we won't let them out of our sight again after we catch them," promised Sammy.
They washed hastily and sat down to the substantial meal which tasted even better than usual after their long day in the open.
"We found a cave on the bank of the river to-day," observed Sammy, after he had taken the first keen edge off his appetite.
"Sammy thought that it was a robber's cave at first and we didn't know but what we'd have some loot to bring home," grinned Bob.
Sammy shot a wrathful glance at him.
"Yes, I know all about that cave," replied Mr. Claxton, after they had described its location. "I've often wondered why some animal hasn't taken possession of it."
"We'd like first rate to camp out in it over night some time if you don't mind," put in Sammy.