"You ought not to be told. You should be made to look for them."
"Oh, please tell us, mother, for we're in such a hurry."
"'Gator skins are selling high now," added Stam, opening his eyes, "and we know where we can get some big ones."
"That's no reason why you shouldn't be made to find your things. You must be cured of your careless habits in some way. This is a good time to begin."
"Oh, don't lecture us now, mother. Do it when we come back."
"Please tell us where we can find the gun and game-bag," pleaded Jed, putting an arm around his mother's waist.
Mrs. Fellows could not resist this appeal, and she directed the boys to the wood-shed, where they found the desired gun and game-bag standing near a pile of wood. The boys had left them there two days before after returning from a hunt, and the gun was somewhat the worse for rust and exposure.
Down by Loon Lake the great saurians were basking themselves in the hot sun, and the appearance of the boys among them made a slight disturbance along the edges of the water.
"These are only small ones," whispered Jed, with contempt. "We want some big four-dollar hides. Snag Creek's the place for them. The big fellows always hang out there."
The young hunters paddled their small skiff rapidly around the edge of the clear-water lake, and then shoved her gently up a narrow, muddy creek.