"We shall see it two or three times before coming to the outlet."
The boys walked at their best pace, Jet carrying Jim's gun, and the latter with the greater portion of the provisions slung over his shoulder.
At the end of a quarter of an hour the trail brought them to the edge of the lake, and they looked out over the water eagerly, but without seeing any signs of life.
Again their way wound through the woods, and when the journey was a trifle more than two-thirds finished they were within sight of the water once more.
"Unless that fellow has made straight for the upper lake, he ought to be 'round here somewhere, so we'd better not show ourselves," Jim suggested, as he crept cautiously down to the fringe of bushes bordering the banks.
The boys were now where they could see between the cluster of islands to the opposite shore, and after gazing for some time in silence, Jet said, as he pointed directly across the lake:
"Isn't that a line of smoke over there?"
"It is, an' I'll bet our man has made camp to watch for his chums. Let's go over!"
It seemed to be a sort of forlorn hope; but the chances were well worth taking in view of the possible result, and Jet replied:
"Go ahead; but we must keep a good watch of the shores in case that should not be the fellow we are searching for."