“You mean a shanty?”
“I don’t care what you call it, but I see smoke coming out of the chimney. We’ll go up there and get somebody to help us.”
Moved by a common impulse both boys started in the direction of the strange house. Neither was aware that they were entering upon an experience that was to be as mysterious as it was trying.
CHAPTER III
A MYSTERIOUS HOUSE
The sun was shining brightly as the boys moved across the island in the direction of the place they were seeking. As they stopped occasionally to look back over the waters of the lake, they saw that the waves still were tipped with white and the waters still were rough.
“I wish I knew where the other fellows are,” said Fred, once more stopping to look out over the waters that now were reflecting the light of the afternoon sun.
“They are all right,” said John, confidently. “I told you both the Gadabout and the other skiff are around the point.”
“I know you told me so, but that doesn’t make it so,” said Fred, still unconvinced by the confident manner of his companion.
“Look yonder, will you!” said John abruptly as he pointed toward the house they were seeking. “I’m sure there is somebody in there.”
“It doesn’t look as if it would hold together long enough to let any one stay very long inside,” laughed Fred.