"Let's take a short cut," said Pud.
"How's that?" asked Bob.
"We'll go down the mountain and then follow that stream as Mr. Waterman told us to."
"All right," said Bob.
Down they started and they soon came to the stream. They then had an argument as to whether Mr. Waterman had said that the stream emptied into their lake or ran from it. At last Bob said, "I remember distinctly that Mr. Waterman said that this stream runs out of our lake so I'm going this way."
"All right," said Pud. "I know you're wrong, but if I don't go with you, you'll get lost for good, so lead the way."
The undergrowth near the stream was rank, as might be expected, and the boys made slow progress. After about an hour's walk they stopped, as they felt sure they should have been at the lake.
"We should have been there long ago," said Pud.
"I think we ought to be there soon," said Bob.
"We'll never get there going this way," said Pud.