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190 back. At last those on the raft put off from the shore and disappeared in the darkness.

"They are as mad as wet hens," said Giant. "Do you think they'll come back?"

"Possibly," answered Snap. "We'll have to keep a strict watch."

It was decided that only two boys should sleep at a time, while the other pair remained on guard, one at either side of the camp. This plan was carried out, but nothing came to disturb the young hunters, and all managed to get a fairly good rest after their arduous doing of the early part of the night.

At half-past nine in the morning they started for the other side of Lake Narsac in their rowboat, taking the two other craft with them. They looked for Ham Spink and his cronies but the camping spot was deserted.

"What can this mean?" questioned Whopper. "Is it another trick?"

"Maybe they are at our camp this minute!" cried Giant. "We ought to have left somebody on guard."

But he had hardly spoken when they saw a handkerchief waving from down the lake shore. They pulled In that direction and soon reached a small, cleared spot. Here the raft was beached