CHAPTER XXII
PADDLING ACROSS LAKE SURPRISE
"What do you think, Mr. Dodd? Was that story told by Fletcher the truth, or just the imagination of a dying man?" asked Frank.
The sheriff scratched his head. His air was that of a man who, being cautious by nature, is slow to commit himself.
"To tell you the honest truth, boys, I just don't know what to think. The thing has got me locoed, as they say out West. It looks as if Lasher can't find what he is hunting for. The only thing for me to do is to lay low until he shows his hand, and then try to gather him in. I know my duty, and nothing can sheer me off, no matter how sorry I might feel for the poor chap."
The dinner was finished, and all pronounced it fine.
"Never ate better bass in my life, and that coon sure knows how to cook 'em, too," declared the sheriff heartily. And Adolphus grinned with delight to be thus publicly complimented by an officer of the State.
After a while the two men wandered off, though promising to return by night, as another meal like that was a great temptation, and the invitation pressing.
The boys went in a bunch to assist Will and Bluff to clean out the snake den, as a means for passing time and doing a good deed. More brush was dragged over and thrown down into the hole, regardless of the angry hissing of the numerous ugly crawlers to be seen sunning themselves there.
"All ready for the grand finale!" shouted Bluff, after Will had secured a picture of the whole scene.