"Don't expect much, Chubby, do you?" laughed Bob.
As for little Tom Clifton, he smiled faintly, but made no reply to Dugan's question, and the latter was quite sure that he breathed a sigh of relief when the precipice was hidden from view behind a ridge.
Again the coach climbed laboriously upward. Many times the panting animals were allowed to rest, and the Ramblers became impatient to reach their destination. Hunger attacked them, and Dave sighed dolefully as he thought of the long wait before their appetites could be satisfied.
But at length the road began to descend, and about two o'clock they caught a glimpse of a shining body of water with two dark spots at its western end.
"What are they?" asked Bob, with interest.
"Promontory and Hemlock Islands," replied Dugan. "That's Mountain Lake. We're gittin' there now—village is jist beyond the middle of the lake."
"And mighty glad I am to see it," said Bob. "I can make out some of the buildings. Are those white spots farmhouses?"
The driver nodded.
"This must be a great place for boating and fishing."
"'Tain't bad—but jist let me give you a word of advice—keep away from them islands."