Page:Young Hunters of the Lake.djvu/110

100 did not add that he was counting in Felps's own party.

Behind a thick mass of brushwood rested the Snapper, as the boys' craft had been christened. The boat was very much as the lads had left it, but Snap was quick to detect that the painter, which had before had a frayed-out end, had been cut by some sharp instrument, probably a knife.

"This is our boat," said Snap, as he looked the craft over.

"Humph, can you prove it?" growled Giles Faswig.

"Yes, and I can prove more—if I have to," added the leader of the hunting club.

"What?"

"That the rope has been cut."

"What does that signify?" asked Andrew Felps.

"It shows that the boat didn't drift away Somebody cut the rope and made off with her."

"See here—" began Giles Faswig, and then stopped short. There was a shout, and Giant and Shep burst into view.

"Got the boat, eh?" cried the doctor's son. "Good!" And then he looked curiously at the men, and so did Giant.